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I'll start off by saying I really enjoy WoW and grew up playing PnP AD&D.
I think the real issue comes down to what you want in your mmorpg. WoW has just about everything and I give props to Blizzard for making a game that appeals to so many.
Now, after playing in the DDO beta for a little over 2 weeks, I can see that Turbine has gone out of their way to make a game that will appeal to...you guessed it...fans of D&D.
The vast majority of WoW players will not like this game. I've never thought of myself as old, mid 30's, but I can see that the current generation of gamers aren't like me. They want glitz and glam, fast leveling, over the top and cartoonish characters and adversaries. I like those things too, but I don't demand them.
DDO is the closest I think anyone has ever gotten to PnP, outside of Neverwinter Nights. And for that, I congratulate Turbine.
The instancing, the need for groups, the absence of crafting are all elements of good ol' fashioned D&D. As someone who spent many late nights running thru campaigns in Greyhawk (our preferred campaign setting), I can say this a great game for those who want a MMO version of PnP.
When I want loud, garrish battles with 39 other guildies, I'll log on to WoW. They are fun and that's what gaming is about.
But when I want something more intimate, involving a few buddies and our wits, I'll log on to DDO.
They both fill a need (or craving in my case). It's up to you what that need is.
Comments
where in classic D&D do you see twitch combat? Where in classic d&d can an enemy wizard npc cast sleep, paralyze, cone of cold and melee at the same time?
no self respecting 30 year old obese, bearded, roasted turkey leg eating, renaissance fair going, roleplayer would touch this with a 10 foot polearm of vorpal ass rapeing.
I must agree with this assessment. Similar to the OP, I also am an old (and current) Greyhawk PNP DM/player, mid 30s, and enjoy WOW (though not willing to commit to being an addict).
I really enjoyed DDO.
Certainly, DDO is not perfect, but it is new, different, and D&D. I've had a chance to play in beta and have been watching the forums for a while now. And, while I agree with some folks and disagree with others, I really think that the OP hit the nail on the head. DDO and WOW are different, and they cater to different people and different gameplay styles.
This, by no means, indicates that I feel one game or one game style is superior. Nor does my statement mean that I haven't fully considered the reviews/comments that I've read (both positive and negative). What I mean is just that both WOW and DDO fulfilled my gaming needs in different ways and I enjoy them both.
Take one, the other, or both as you see fit. I, for one, intend on taking DDO for a ride, while simultaneously enjoying WOW.
If by twitch, you mean block/tumbling, then I'll agree that's new. But you don't have to do either of those things if that's a realism breaker for ya. My first char was a Paladin and I can honestly say I never blocked or tumbled once. Admittedly, I was wearing full plate and a tower shield.
And I can't speak to your NPC wizard casting all those spells at once. I never had an experience like that during beta. I DID have a DM who made certain NPC's behave "outside" the normal ruleset in PnP, but then again, DM is God. Ergo, Turbine is God. ;-)
What beard?
by twitch I mean applying game mechanics of a first person shooter and at the same time apeasing the namesake of D&D by rolling dice to see if you connect. How is this D&D? Either run around and duck and tumble and jump like an electricuted lab monkey or use turn based combat with dice, one or the other.
As for the npc wizard, there is a secret lich npc in one of the level 2 missions that you get to by jumping on the rafters to a secret area, he guards a chest.. supposedly he is for high level chars to come discover later on but it litterally casted cone of cold, sleep, paralyze, and did melee at the same time . It was ridiculous, this is not D&D it's super mario brothers.
The kobolds you regularly fight are easily dispatched by running around in circles and mashing attack like a person was suffering an epileptic seizure from Pokemon.
Say what you will about the redeeming qualities and the maturity of the playerbase. Do you really need to be paying 15 a month for this? NWN 2 is around the corner, so is Oblivian, and Vanguard and Age of Connan. But this game is not D&D, it's not even close. If you want d&d play the gold box SSI titles of the late 80's early 90's.
If you want diablo play diablo, mmorpg play eq or wow. But don't class DDO as any of the above, because it's a steaming pile. Thats not even based on the track record of Turbine, and other aspects of it all which only makes it worse.
I think what lost the "D&D" feel for me was that twich based combat... yet it was supposed to be D&D, which always was a turn based system. You Decided, you rolled. I'm not looking for a LOOOONG time, but the thought process is there (like in WoW, you get a second to decide)
But then you are point-click-twitch... It was like action game time.
That, and the instancing just made me feel like I was at the D&D theme park waiting to go on the rides.
Shayde - SWG (dead)
Proud member of the Cabal.
It sounds great, so great in fact, I pitty those who canceled - Some deluded SWG fanboi who pities me.
I don't like it when you say things. - A Vanguard fan who does too.
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Maybe I've been too lazy in my playstyle during beta, but I've never felt it was "twitchy".
It was mentioned earlier that you can run around in circles spamming swing and defeat an enemy easily. I guess since I was approaching this as D&D, I was Tab targetting an enemy, pressing 1 to start attacking and then repositioning myself when the target moved/tumbled away. I rarely use the mouse while fighting.
Guess I'll try to be a little more animated tonight while playing and see how much difference it makes if I treat it as a FPS.
Definately makes a difference, you can solo the group content, even get to level 3 by repeating the dungeons easily. If someone wants to say your not supposed to play it that or enjoy the moment, again I ask why pay $15? Go to you local hobby/games store and get in on a real D&D game. Otherwise you are playing online to compete/play with other people to see who is better then a computer controlled char, otherwise whats the point? Play a single player game.
Don't mistake what I am saying is pure hatred for the sake of bashing this game, if I had not been lucky enough to try it I would have wasted over $100 for 2 accounts, as I was awaiting this game just like the next person.
DDO is no more DnD then WOW is. Just because it has the title doesn't mean it has the spirit.
Forgive my poor attempt at a poll...lets try this again